BATTLE // January 28, 1881
Battle of Laing's Nek
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Overview
The Battle of Laing's Nek was a major battle fought at Laing's Nek during the First Boer War on 28 January 1881.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Significance
The Battle of Laing's Nek was fought on 28 January 1881 during the First Boer War, pitting a British force of 1,216 under Maj Gen. Sir George Pomeroy Colley against approximately 2,000 men of the South African Republic commanded by Piet Joubert. British casualties reached 113. The engagement was one of the major actions of the conflict, and the scale of British losses relative to the size of the force committed reflected the difficulties Colley faced against the Boer position at Laing's Nek. The battle was part of the broader British effort to reassert control over the South African Republic following its declaration of independence, a campaign that would ultimately fail to restore British authority before the war's conclusion.
Forces & casualties
Troop strength
- South African Republic2,000medium
- United Kingdom1,216medium
South African Republic fielded a 1.6 : 1 numerical advantage
Casualties
- Royaume-Uni de Grande-Bretagne et d'Irlande113medium
Commanders (2)
South African Republic
Piet Joubertgeneral
United Kingdom
Maj Gen. Sir George Pomeroy Colleymajor-general
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5 sibling battles · 2 factions